Endoskull Roll Call...

[swo77]

Does cleaning the endoskull hurt the items collectible value at all? Since it is not original condition from Sideshow.

I would say yes, it absolutely does. That doesn't mean someone wouldn't ever buy it from you, but you significantly modified a stock item. Call it a custom.

Also, I actually used nail polish remover with acetone. I had no idea of its affect on plastic at the time. I guess I was lucky because the acetone did not hurt the endoskull at all. It looks perfect. But I am wondering if there might be any future problems because I used the acetone??

You are the first I've heard of to actually use the acetone. We don't know if there are detrimental effects from using acetone, we just didn't want to try it when the non-acetone variety worked so well. Did you remove all of the cleaning residue shortly after you applied the acetone? If so, you should be fine, especially since you didn't notice anything wrong yet. Did you use any type of automotive chrome wheel polish when done?

Please let us know if you notice anything down the road.

Mike

 

[TerminatorMan]

I did not use any chrome polish on it, but I will soon. When I cleaned it up, the nail polish seemed to evaporate and there was not much/ if any remaining on the skull. I did wipe the bust clean with a towel afterwards. The entire process probably took me about two-three hours.

Since I did use acetone on it, I will let you know if I notice anything bad in the future. Since the bust is now clean from the nail polish remover, it shouldn't be a problem. But i thought I'd ask.

 

[swo77]

I did not use any chrome polish on it, but I will soon. When I cleaned it up, the nail polish seemed to evaporate and there was not much/ if any remaining on the skull. I did wipe the bust clean with a towel afterwards. The entire process probably took me about two-three hours.

Since I did use acetone on it, I will let you know if I notice anything bad in the future. Since the bust is now clean from the nail polish remover, it shouldn't be a problem. But i thought I'd ask.

Sounds good, I think you will be fine. Acetone is so strong and quick to attack certain surfaces/finishes that you would have probably noticed an effect while polishing if it was going to harm anything.

Looking at Felmarweta's excellent pics, his cleaned version was finish polished with a soft cloth and some Meguiar's brand chrome wheel cleaner. Looks really sharp.

If that is your endoskull in your avatar, it looks pretty good.

 

[FelMar]

I would say yes, it absolutely does. That doesn't mean someone wouldn't ever buy it from you, but you significantly modified a stock item. Call it a custom.




You are the first I've heard of to actually use the acetone. We don't know if there are detrimental effects from using acetone, we just didn't want to try it when the non-acetone variety worked so well. Did you remove all of the cleaning residue shortly after you applied the acetone? If so, you should be fine, especially since you didn't notice anything wrong yet. Did you use any type of automotive chrome wheel polish when done?

Please let us know if you notice anything down the road.

Mike

swo is right...
the price will be affected because its now a custom job. I'm not sure how much it will increase or decrease the value though

TF-
glad you don't see any issues after using the acetone based np remover, keep us posted if anything changes!

 

[TerminatorMan]

Sounds good, I think you will be fine. Acetone is so strong and quick to attack certain surfaces/finishes that you would have probably noticed an effect while polishing if it was going to harm anything.

Looking at Felmarweta's excellent pics, his cleaned version was finish polished with a soft cloth and some Meguiar's brand chrome wheel cleaner. Looks really sharp.

If that is your endoskull in your avatar, it looks pretty good.

Yes, the endoskull in my avatar is mine. So, I am extrememly pleased with it. I saw no problems at the time of cleaning when using the acetone.

 

[TerminatorMan]

swo is right...
the price will be affected because its now a custom job. I'm not sure how much it will increase or decrease the value though

TF-
glad you don't see any issues after using the acetone based np remover, keep us posted if anything changes!

At the time I used it, there were no problems with the acetone based polish remover. So, I dont think there will be future problems such as discoloration or peeling chrome etc....

 

[TerminatorMan]

<a href="https://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll60/wft2/DSC03869-1.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


<a href="https://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll60/wft2/DSC03871.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[swo77]

<a href="https://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll60/wft2/DSC03869-1.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


<a href="https://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll60/wft2/DSC03871.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

SIDE 1 is quality. These really clean up well.

I see you cleaned the eyeball chrome, too. Nice work. Did you notice any significant finish flaws anywhere under the combat paint?

I've always wondered if the combat versions were a way for SSC to recoup their investment on finished endoskulls that weren't good enough to be displayed as a straight chrome finish. Seeing all of these clean ones leads me to believe they are actually good to go under that paint.

 

[TerminatorMan]

SIDE 1 is quality. These really clean up well.

I see you cleaned the eyeball chrome, too. Nice work. Did you notice any significant finish flaws anywhere under the combat paint?

I've always wondered if the combat versions were a way for SSC to recoup their investment on finished endoskulls that weren't good enough to be displayed as a straight chrome finish.

I did notice some finish problems. They are minor but still worth mentioning. I will try to get a pic for you. It was either sideshow's mistake or maybe the acetone?? Give me a few minutes and I will get a pic of the finish problems.

I cleaned the eyeball chrome, but did loose some red paint in the process and I remember it seemed like the acetone baed product did kinda melt the plastic eye. I was lucky I did not ruin it!!

 

[FelMar]

I'd like to warn you guys of a possible scam on ebaY for the HCG clean endobust...

AUCTION LINK

Back in December there was another seller from France that was selling these same endobusts and now look at his/her feedback:

https://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayIS...erid=mesrineqhs&ftab=AllFeedback&myworld=true

I think its the same person using a different account (same pictures and both offer free worldwide shipping)...the seller requires instant payment via paypal.

If you run into this...I would highly consider that you don't purchase this bust!

 

[FelMar]

TF-

thanks for those pics!
I like how it shows half the face cleaned and the other side dirty...very cool

I didn't wanna get anywhere near the red of the eye with the nail polish remover..afraid of damaging the plastic.

 

[TerminatorMan]

TF-

thanks for those pics!
I like how it shows half the face cleaned and the other side dirty...very cool

I didn't wanna get anywhere near the red of the eye with the nail polish remover..afraid of damaging the plastic.

Yep, took the pics while cleaning it. Now both sides are clean.

Also, thanks for the heads up felmar, about the ebay guy.

I would advise against going near the eye. It seemed like the plastic melted off a little and red paint came off. I was lucky I wiped away the eye quickly. Either way though, the dark eye gives the bust a good contrast feature, just like the black that you left on the neck of your endo (FELMAR). It looks good.

 

[swo77]

I'd like to warn you guys of a possible scam on ebaY for the HCG clean endobust...

I think its the same person using a different account (same pictures and both offer free worldwide shipping)...the seller requires instant payment via paypal.

If you run into this...I would highly consider that you don't purchase this bust!

Thank you for the heads up! That would ruin your day...

I cleaned the eyeball chrome, but did loose some red paint in the process and I remember it seemed like the acetone baed product did kinda melt the plastic eye. I was lucky I did not ruin it!!

Another good thing to watch out for, thank you for the tip. I'm glad yours is good to go.

 

[TerminatorMan]

The flaw in the finish is on the endobust neck. Here is the pic. Other than that, the finish is pretty good. Some small bumps here and there.

<a href="https://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll60/wft2/neck.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[TerminatorMan]

Thank you for the heads up! That would ruin your day...



Another good thing to watch out for, thank you for the tip. I'm glad yours is good to go.

Thanks for the heads up FelMar.

SWO77, yes I freaked out when I saw the red paint on my cleaning cloth. The dark does make a good contrast though on the eye, so it is not worth the trouble or risk to clean the eye. I wouldnt do it again if I knew better.

 

[swo77]

The flaw in the finish is on the endobust neck. Here is the pic. Other than that, the finish is pretty good. Some small bumps here and there.

<a href="https://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll60/wft2/neck.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Yep, looks like "crazing". That is typically what happens when a surface or coating reacts with a strong solvent or other type of degrading agent. I don't think this would have happened in the manufacturing process, but I could be wrong. Hopefully SSC gets back to me about how these finishes were applied.

Good to see it is only limited to that small area, but you might want to watch for flaking down the road and be careful when touching the area for cleaning/dusting. As for the other "bumps" and such, that is most likely from manufacturing of the item. Could be debris under the coating or surface imperfections from the molding process.

 

[TerminatorMan]

Yep, looks like "crazing". That is typically what happens when a surface or coating reacts with a strong solvent or other type of agent. I don't think this would have happened in the manufacturing process, but I could be wrong.

Good to see it is only limited to that small area, but you might want to watch for flaking down the road and be careful when touching the area for cleaning/dusting.

Best

Thank you for letting me know. Another reason to avoid the acetone ( I am so stupid). Well, I guess It did not survive unscathed afterall.

 

[mr.thrifty]

there were q-tip style applicators that were mentioned. for those nooks and crannies..

 

[swo77]

Thank you for letting me know. Another reason to avoid the acetone ( I am so stupid). Well, I guess It did not survive unscathed afterall.

You aren't stupid and that certainly isn't a reason to trash the bust. It still looks incredible. Yes, I would agree that you should keep the acetone away from the finish.

That could have been a preexisting finish flaw that was uncovered with the paint removal, but we will never know that in your case as that area of your bust simply wasn't scrutinized before the cleaning process. Don't automatically blame yourself.

 

[TerminatorMan]

You aren't stupid and that certainly isn't a reason to trash the bust. It still looks incredible. Yes, I would agree that you should keep the acetone away from the finish.

That could have been a preexisting finish flaw that was uncovered with the paint removal, but we will never know that in your case as that area of your bust simply wasn't scrutinized before the cleaning process. Don't automatically blame yourself.

Well, I will consider that small neck area, battle damage.
Thanks again SWO